When animals eat, insulin is released from the pancreas, stimulating glucose uptake by the liver. When glucose levels drop, the pancreas reduces insulin release. This is an example of which mechanism for maintaining homeostasis?
- A. Negative feedback.
- B. Positive feedback.
- C. Stress response.
- D. Parasympathetic regulation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: This mechanism is an example of negative feedback. Negative feedback systems work to counteract changes in the body and maintain a stable internal environment (homeostasis). In this case, the release of insulin in response to high glucose levels is followed by a reduction in insulin release when glucose levels drop. This response helps regulate glucose levels and return them to a normal range, demonstrating the characteristic of negative feedback where the body's response opposes the initial stimulus to maintain equilibrium. Positive feedback would amplify the initial change rather than counteract it, so it is not the correct choice. Stress response and parasympathetic regulation are not directly involved in this glucose regulation process, making them incorrect choices.
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Which of the following describes an experiment?
- A. The final math grades for a group of students passing through each year of elementary school are examined.
- B. The health trends of smokers in a small random sample are examined.
- C. Citizens in a local community are surveyed to determine concerns related to the next election.
- D. The effects of a new drug are tested on a group of participants.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Option D describes an experiment because it involves testing the effects of a new drug on a group of participants. In an experiment, researchers intentionally manipulate an independent variable (in this case, the new drug) to observe its effects on a dependent variable (the participants' health outcomes). This method allows for establishing cause-and-effect relationships between variables, which is a key characteristic of experimental research design. Choices A, B, and C do not represent experiments. Choice A involves observational analysis of math grades, choice B involves observational analysis of health trends, and choice C involves a survey, none of which involve manipulating variables to establish cause-and-effect relationships.
In order to verify if a particular drug is responsible for the recovery of individuals with a disorder, what procedure would be most effective in testing its effectiveness?
- A. Ensure that neither the subjects nor the investigators know which subjects are given the drug and which are given the placebo.
- B. Ensure that the subjects do not know whether they are given the drug or the placebo, but the investigators are aware of who has received the medication.
- C. Ensure that the investigators do not know whether they are administering the drug or the placebo, but the subjects do know which they are receiving.
- D. Ensure that both the investigators and the subjects have full knowledge of which subjects are getting the drug and which are getting a placebo.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The most effective procedure in testing whether the drug is responsible for the recovery is to ensure that neither the subjects nor the investigators know which subjects are given the drug and which are given the placebo. This method is known as a double-blind study, which helps eliminate biases and ensures that the results are reliable and not influenced by expectations or beliefs. By keeping both the subjects and investigators unaware of who is receiving the drug or placebo, the study can accurately determine the true impact of the drug on recovery. Choice B is incorrect as it only prevents the subjects from knowing which treatment they are receiving, allowing for potential bias from the investigators. Choice C is also incorrect as it allows for potential bias from the subjects. Choice D is incorrect as full knowledge of treatment allocation can introduce bias and affect the study's validity.
Which of the following terms means close to the trunk of the body?
- A. Superficial
- B. Sagittal
- C. Proximal
- D. Distal
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The term 'proximal' means situated close to the point of attachment or the center of the body, such as close to the trunk. In anatomical terms, proximal is used to describe locations that are closer to the body's center or point of reference. 'Superficial' refers to something situated near the surface, 'sagittal' refers to a plane that divides the body into left and right portions, and 'distal' refers to a position away from the center or point of reference. Therefore, 'proximal' is the correct term to indicate a position close to the trunk of the body.
When conducting a research study, which of the following is NOT a good reason for using a computer?
- A. A computer can be used to store and sort large quantities of data.
- B. Computers can interface with instruments and record data efficiently.
- C. Using a computer eliminates all subjectivity and potential bias from an experiment.
- D. A computer can perform complex calculations more quickly and accurately than a human can.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using a computer does not eliminate all subjectivity and potential bias from an experiment. While computers can assist in data collection and analysis, the design and execution of the research study can still be influenced by subjectivity and bias introduced by researchers. Researchers need to recognize their potential biases and take measures to reduce them throughout the research process. Choice A is correct as computers are valuable for managing large datasets. Choice B is correct as computers can efficiently work with instruments and record data. Choice D is correct as computers excel in performing complex calculations faster and more accurately than humans.
When a certain plant is introduced into an area, and the population of a certain insect species declines, what can be concluded from this?
- A. The plant is toxic to the insect in question.
- B. The plant competes with and drives out plants that the insect feeds on.
- C. The insect population was declining anyway; the fact that it happened when the plant was introduced is a coincidence.
- D. All of these explanations may be possible; further investigation is necessary to determine which is true.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The given scenario presents multiple possible explanations for the decline in the insect population with the introduction of a particular plant. It could be due to the plant being toxic to the insect (Option A), competing with and driving out plants that the insect feeds on (Option B), or the decline could be coincidental with the plant introduction as the insect population was already decreasing (Option C). Without further investigation and evidence, it is not possible to definitively determine which explanation is correct. Therefore, all of these possibilities may be true, and thorough investigation is necessary to reach a conclusive conclusion.